MLB Rumors

Making his first appearance at first base this season, Mets outfielder Lucas Duda went 4 for 4 with his 13th double, collecting more than half of his team's seven hits against the Braves Monday.

Duda's four-hit night was his first since Sept. 16, 2011 (also against the Braves), giving him a .241/.348/.454 line with 11 home runs and 23 RBI in 216 at-bats. He had hit .306/.378/.486 with three home runs and 20 RBI in 144 at-bats over 45 career games as a first baseman heading into Monday's game, numbers far above his career .249/.338/.430 line.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman had an exceptional night at the plate Monday, going 3 for 4 and hitting a walkoff two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give his team a 2-1 win against the Mets.

It was Freeman's second straight three-hit performance, making him 22 of 62 with two home runs and 14 RBI in June. He passed Chris Johnson in this game for the team lead in batting average (.327 in 223 at-bats).

Gunning for his first career shutout after throwing eight scoreless innings, Mets pitcher Dillon Gee surrendered a walkoff two-run home run to Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman Monday to take the loss and drop to 5-7.

Gee gave up two earned runs on five hits and and one walk while striking out six in 8 1/3 innings. It was his second career complete game. Gee takes a 4.56 ERA into Saturday's start in Philadelphia against the Phillies.

The Mariners are in the process of activating first baseman Justin Smoak off the disabled list to join the team for Tuesday's game against the Angels, the Seattle Times reports. This is not official yet. 

Smoak went 2 for 5 with a double and run scored in his fifth rehab game with Triple-A Tacoma Monday. He has been out since May 30 with a strained oblique muscle. 

Braves starting pitcher Tim Hudson surrendered one earned run on six hits and three walks while striking out six in seven innings against the Mets Monday. He was saved from taking the loss when first baseman Freddie Freeman delivered a walkoff two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth.

Hudson who is 4-6 with a 4.17 ERA, has posted four straight quality starts. He'll take on the Brewers in Milwaukee Saturday.

The Mariners appear to be in the process of demoting outfielder Alex Liddi to Triple-A Tacoma in order to recall Justin Smoak, the Seattle Times reports. This is not official.

Liddi went 0 for 1 with a strikeout Monday in Anaheim. He's batting .059 over 17 at-bats for the Mariners. 

The Astros optioned Jimmy Paredes to Triple-A Oklahoma City Monday after a loss to Chicago. Paredes was optioned to make room for the activation of Justin Maxwell from the disabled list, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Paredes has been mired in a bad slump and has recorded just one hit in his last 21 at-bats in June.

The Astros activated outfielder Justin Maxwell from the disabled list Monday night following a loss to Chicago, the Houston Chronicle reports. Maxwell returns to the roster as Jimmy Paredes gets optioned to Triple-A.

Maxwell, who has been out since April 23 with a fractured left hand, is expected to play right field in his return in Tuesday's game against Milwaukee.

Angels third baseman Alberto Callaspo recorded four of his team's 21 base hits Monday night in an 11-3 drubbing of the Mariners. 

Callaspo singled for all four hits and drove in two runs with two runs scored. His single to center in the sixth inning plated Albert Pujols and Howie Kendrick. 

The No. 7 batter went 4 for 5 and is now batting .250 on the year. Callaspo has gone 6 for 13 over his last three games with four runs driven in. He has four homers and 24 RBI on the year for the Angels. 

Giants starting pitcher Barry Zito surrendered two earned runs on six hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings against the Padres Monday, striking out a season-high eight batters in a no-decision.

Zito hadn't struck out more than five batters in a start this season before ringing up eight on Monday. It was his best one-game strikeout total since racking up 10 Ks against the Braves on Aug. 6, 2010. He'll face the Marlins at home Saturday.